Pledging Allegiance

Citizens of the United States, diverse in their backgrounds and beliefs, are united by adherence to principles of liberty and justice symbolized by the American flag. A pledge written for an 1892 Columbus Day celebration became the official affirmation of national loyalty in 1942 when Congress included it in flag legislation. In 1943 the Supreme Court upheld a citizen’s right to follow individual conscience and beliefs in choosing whether or not to recite this pledge.

Letter from Billy Gobitas to Minersville, Pennsylvania, school directors, November 5, 1935

In 1935 a Pennsylvania public school expelled 10-year-old Billy Gobitas for refusing to salute the American flag. His letter to the school board explained that as a Jehovah’s Witness he believed pledging allegiance to the flag violated his commitment to God. In 1943 the Supreme Court upheld the right not to recite the pledge on religious principle.

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H. J. Res. 243, Joint Resolution to amend the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, June 7,1954

Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance for an 1892 Columbus Day school celebration coinciding with the Chicago World’s Fair. Congress recognized an amended version of Bellamy’s words as the official national pledge in 1942 legislation on U.S. flag protocols. In 1954 Congress added the words “under God.”

Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives and Records Administration

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"Old Glory," K. R. Thompson, 1968

The U.S. Flag Code states that citizens should pledge allegiance with the right hand over the heart or with a military salute while facing the flag. The House of Representatives has opened each day’s session with the Pledge of Allegiance since 1988, and the Senate has done so since 1999.